Piganzoli aiming for top 10 in Giro, while Polti VisitMalta tackles the race as if it's '21 classics'

Team director Stefano Zanatta sees the 22-year-old Piganzoli as the team leader. “We’re approaching the most important part of the season with maximum ambition,” he said on the team’s website. “We’re ready to show our identity and represent our sponsors in the best possible way. The trend is positive, as shown by Piganzoli’s top 10 in the Tour of the Alps and Lonardi’s results in the Tour of Turkey. We know we can play a leading role, and we’re approaching all 21 stages as if they’re 21 one-day classics.”

Piganzoli finished 13th in last year’s Giro d’Italia, at just 21 years old. This year, the young climber is aiming even higher, and plans to race more aggressively. “We’ve prepared well, with strong training at altitude and in the lead-up races. I’m really excited to be racing here again, especially because stage 18 starts in Morbegno, my hometown. My goal is to improve on my 13th place from last year, but I don’t want to sit back too much. I’ll take my chances when they come!” he said. Earlier, he told IDLProCycling.com that his goal for this Giro is a top 10 finish.

Last week, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Piganzoli might be making a move to Visma | Lease a Bike. The Dutch team is highly impressed by the young rider and sees him as a fantastic asset for the future. In this Giro, the climber will be supported by Mirco Maestri, Alessandro Tonelli, Fran Muñoz, Andrea Pietrobon, and the Bais brothers, Davide and Mattia. The former of the two even won a stage in the 2023 Giro. Giovanni Lonardi is also part of the squad and will be expected to deliver results in the sprints.